Lesser Poland in September

May through September gives you the best weather for both city walking and mountain hiking. July and August see crowds in Krakow, but the Carpathian trails stay relatively empty. Spring brings wildflowers to the Tatra foothills, though some high-altitude trails don't open until June. September might be the sweet spot - warm days, cool nights, fewer tourists, and the forests turn golden. Winter transforms Zakopane into a ski destination, but Krakow can feel gray and cold. The Christmas markets in December make up for the weather though.